Diners' Choice: Neighbourhood gem restaurants in East LA

OpenTable

Updated 05 November 2026

Looking for the best restaurants that are the best neighbourhood gems in East LA? You’re in the right place. Each month, OpenTable analyses nearly 2 million global diner reviews from the past four months. We sort the results by location and category to help you discover new favourite restaurants. It's a great partnership: you book, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

Dal Rae

4.9

4.9 (6529)

$31 to $50

American

Pico Rivera

About the restaurant

The Dal Rae is the Southern California restaurant where 1950s classics still reign. Lobster Thermidor, Pepper Steak, Chateaubriand, Prime Rib, Fresh Fish, Lamb Chops, Steak Diane and Cherries Jubilee prepared tableside are among more than 100 items on a truly retro menu, complete with some of the city's best martinis. Opened in 1958, the Dal Rae has maintained its original atmosphere, too, right down to a piano bar with live entertainment. And, most important, it has preserved a tradition otherwise found only in private clubs -- knowing its customers by name and treating them like the most important people in the whole wide world. The Dal Rae is located close to the 5 freeway and half-way between LA County, Orange County and The Valley. It is a perfect location for business meetings or entertaining friends and family.

Top review

MarkGold

Dined 6 days ago

My wife and I are in our mid-70s and grew up in Southern California. My first meal at Dal Rae was before it moved to Washington Boulevard in 1958. My wife ate there first 40 years ago. Since we moved to Maryland in 1990, we've made dinner at Dal Rae a feature of nearly every visit with my in-laws in Long Beach. In all this time, Dal Rae has never once disappointed. The food is always prepared with the finest ingredients by people who really know how to cook. The service is warm, friendly, and impeccable. The cocktails are perfection and the wine list extensive. I'm not bothering to list the dishes five of us enjoyed on our latest visit, because it doesn't matter. Whatever you order is going to be the best rendition of that dish you've ever tasted.

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Popular dish

Fresh Chilean Sea Bass A la Ben

Popular dish

Dal Rae Caesar Salad (For Two)

Popular dish

Dal Rae Caesar Salad for Two

Lazy Dog Restaurant & Bar - Downey

4.8

4.8 (76)

$30 and under

American

Downey / Norwalk / Santa Fe Springs

About the restaurant

Lazy Dog Restaurant & Bar is a mountain-inspired, scratch-kitchen restaurant where handcrafted food brings people together to connect and feel at home. Inspired by founder Chris Simms' time in the Rocky Mountains, our lodge-inspired spaces feature cozy fireplaces and dog-friendly patios, inviting you to slow down. Whether you're joining us for weekend brunch, happy hour, late-night favorites, seasonal dishes, handcrafted cocktails, craft beer, or exclusive Beer Club releases and perks, Lazy Dog is a place to relax, connect, and feel right at home.

Top review

AydaGold

Dined on 3 Nov 2026

Went out with our girlfriends for a girls night out we got in time for happy hour drinks which were delicious. The lemon drop martini was amazing. We ordered great happy hour appetizers and most of us all ordered the salmon which was to die for it was perfect. Our waiter was amazing and the service was on point we’re definitely gonna go back to visit again thank you

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Experience

Thanksgiving at Lazy Dog

Experience

Family Nights Every Wednesday

Experience

Santa's Holiday Stop - Breakfast

Stevens Steak & Seafood House

4.7

4.7 (817)

$30 and under

Steakhouse

Commerce

About the restaurant

It was just yesterday when we opened our doors. If Yesterday was October of 1952.

Steven's is America's premier traditional steakhouse. We are committed to providing you with outstanding hospitality and serving you the best steaks. Our acclaimed wine list, rich ambiance and personal wait-service are designed to provide you with a truly memorable steakhouse experience.

We also have another side of personality. Our lounge is alive with the hottest sounds of Salsa and many other Latin vibes. I

In addition, we have seven private dining rooms for that perfect quiet evening. Whether you are planning a business dinner, graduation, wedding, anniversary, rehearsal dinner, birthday or a large corporate meeting, we will satisfy your needs in a friendly and professional manner. Steven's steakhouse Gift Cards are the perfect gift for every steak lover. We look forward to serving you.

Top review

Pattie

Dined on 1 Nov 2026

Was my second time there for Halloween 🎃and love it a wonderful experience I found my forever steakhouse #Commerce #Stevensteakhouse 🥩#Dance💃🏽🔥

Panda Inn - La Palma

4.7

4.7 (165)

$30 and under

Chinese

La Palma

About the restaurant

Panda Inn embodies the pursuit of a better life for all, built together one dish and one guest at a time. As “The Original Chinese Kitchen,” it blends classic American Chinese favorites with authentic flavors inspired by the restaurant’s first chef, Master Chef Ming-Tsai Cherng, and his roots in Yangzhou, Taiwan, and Japan. It is where heritage meets innovation, and the warmth of family embraces you with every bite.

This is Panda Inn. Welcome to our home.

Top review

JimGold

Dined on 24 Oct 2026

Food was great It was pretty busy but the service was great

North Italia - Cerritos

4.7

4.7 (486)

$30 and under

Italian

Cerritos

About the restaurant

At North, we focus on what we do best: Italian from scratch. Enjoy any of our handmade pastas and pizzas, created with seasonal ingredients and inventive flavors. Or, try a different signature dish, prepared with our fresh flavors from the garden, farm, and sea. We’ve hand crafted seasonal cocktails that pair great with our food, creating a real modern Italia experiences perfect for any occasion.

Top review

Mike

Dined 3 days ago

Loved the experience, loved our servers attentiveness as we had 3 kids and a baby, hosts were great in being flexible with our reservation and confirming time, food was amazing as usual and the prefix is best value in town!

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Popular dish

Chicken Parmesan

Popular dish

Trottole Chicken Pesto Pasta

Popular dish

White Truffle Garlic Bread

Hermon's

4.7

4.7 (119)

$31 to $50

Contemporary American

Northeast Los Angeles

About the restaurant

Hermon's: A Neighborhood Destination. A place for chops, crudo, handmade pasta, seasonal salads, and a cheeseburger to dream about. Come for big booths, big martinis, and big fun. Bring friends.

Top review

GiocondaGold

Dined 7 days ago

We had a great time. The food was delicious and the service was wonderful! We will definitely be back !

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Experience

Your Table Reserved: A Very Varnish New Year’s

Black Angus Steakhouse - Whittier

4.1

4.1 (2175)

$30 and under

Steakhouse

Whittier

About the restaurant

WE’VE BEEN MASTERING OUR CRAFT SINCE 1964, so you could say we know a thing or two. Our cuts are aged at least 21 days, seasoned to excellence, expertly flame-grilled and served up just the way you like it. You’ve earned it. Whether you’re here to throw back a couple with old friends or trying to finish off the High Noon Feast on your own, there’s always a seat for you. So here’s to the nights you can’t remember and the steaks you won’t forget. To learn more visit www.blackangus.com

Top review

Daniel

Dined 4 days ago

Went there for the ribeye steak special and it was delicious.

Rokka Grill and Whiskey Bar - Whittier

4.1

4.1 (284)

$31 to $50

American

Whittier

About the restaurant

Rokka Whiskey Bar has one of the largest collections of Scoth, Bourbon, Rye, Single Malt and Whiskey in uptown Whittier! Take a trip to Japan, Scotland, Australia, and even India with pours that will surprise you even for the most seasoned of Whiskey enthusiasts. Well Crafted Cocktails and Crafted Culinary experience.

Top review

Armando

Dined on 11 Oct 2026

Our experience was great. The food was amazing & delicious. Our server, Rick, was great and the manager, Frank, they both took care of well. Always making sure we had everything we needed and they were both helpful all night. Can't wait to go back.

NYX Whittier

4.1

4.1 (46)

$30 and under

American

Whittier

About the restaurant

Welcome to NYX- A bold take on modern American cuisine in the heart of Uptown Whittier. Our menu brings comfort food into a new era with perfectly curated dishes with elevated flavors and inventive presentations, All served in a stylish trend-forward space designated to stand out. From our curated craft cocktails to the unforgettable dinner experience we delivered daily. Come dressed to turn heads- An unforgettable night awaits!

Top review

Laura

Dined on 17 Oct 2026

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ We had an absolutely wonderful dining experience last night! The service was exceptional from start to finish, and the food was delicious. The staff was attentive, welcoming, and made sure we had a fantastic evening. Everything exceeded our expectations. Truly a memorable experience, and I look forward to returning. Highly recommend!

BJ's Restaurant & Brewhouse - Downey

3.8

3.8 (47)

$30 and under

American

Downey / Norwalk / Santa Fe Springs

About the restaurant

Time counts at BJ's Restaurant & Brewhouse. Since our humble beginnings back in 1978, we've continued to refine our brewhouse experience to make BJ's a place where you can make the most of any meal. We want BJ's to be a place where the moment you leave is the moment you plan on coming back. We pride ourselves in our craft and attention to detail. Our guests come here for our award-winning handcrafted beer. They come here for the Southern California twist we've put on the Chicago-style deep dish pizza. And they come here for our Pizookies®, our world-renowned dessert. But above all we know people come here to make their good times better. So in many ways we haven't just crafted a brand, but a mindset. And our guests are the reason for this. And it's because of them we're continually striving to make sure every moment they choose to spend with us counts. Welcome to BJ's, a restaurant with a Brewhouse soul.

Top review

Tracy

Dined on 18 Sept 2026

Salmon dish (grilled) with steamed broccoli and subbed baked potato was excellent. The hubs had the beef dip. It was tasty, but a little too salty for our taste buds. The highlight of the evening was our fantastic server, Ronny. He was knowledgeable about the menu, restaurant and the surrounding neighborhood. A very delightful young man who was engaging and "spot on" with his service to our table. We gave a generous tip and encourage the management to give this enterprising young man a promotion!

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